The event took place on Saturday and Sunday, with local
officials, marijuana experts, and pot advocates educating
attendees on the drug’s benefits, proper use, and how the plant’s
sale would be regulated. Other speakers also gave recommendations
regarding how to cook with marijuana.

Held at Chicago’s famous Navy Pier, the Cannabis Conference was
put together by a nonprofit organization called My Compassion,
which is made up of patients and educators who promote the
positive effects of marijuana when used against various diseases,
including cancer and multiple sclerosis.

“We have experienced first hand how cannabis has helped these
conditions while reducing many of the pharmaceutical
prescriptions,” My Compassion wrote on the conference’s
website. “Across the country cannabis is showing positive
results in improving people’s health in turn giving hope and a
better way of life.”

Speaking with the Chicago Tribune, the Dan Linn of Illinois
NORML, which is urging the state to get rid of penalties for
those who use pot legally and responsibly, said the conference
would be a good avenue for marijuana education.

“This event offers a way for people to learn more about our
new medical cannabis law and the changing political
landscape,” he said. “There is widespread support for
medical cannabis and there is growing support for legalizing
cannabis entirely. This event helps to legitimize the industry
and this movement and remove the stigma from people who support
ending the prohibition on this plant.”

In addition to talking up the drug’s medicinal use, the Chicago
Sun-Times reported that the conference also featured out-of-state
vendors looking to sell new businesses items and services ranging
from hydroponic equipment to security consultation.

The event arrived as Illinois continues to explore the rules and
regulations it will implement regarding the use of medical
marijuana. As RT reported last year, Illinois became the 20th
state in the US to legalize the drug for medicinal purposes,
though its four-year trial program will feature some of the
toughest regulations in the country. Users will not be allowed to
grow their own plants, for example, and dispensaries will be
subject to 24-hour surveillance.

The law officially took effect on January 1, but regulations have
yet to be completed. Signed into law by Democratic Gov. Pat
Quinn, the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program will license at least
21 growing operations and 60 dispensaries across Illinois.